Post Phailin, Odisha plans disaster resilient power system

Rs 750 cr project to be funded by Asian Development Bank

After taking up the mammoth work of rebuilding the ravaged power infrastructure in Ganjam, the district worst hit by severe cyclonic storm Phailin, the Odisha government plans to put in place a disaster resilient power strengthening system in the district.

The ambitious project, to be implemented with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is estimated to cost Rs 750 crore.

“ADB has agreed to fund the project. We had talks with the ADB team. Their technical team has reached the state to conduct a socio-environment impact study. The detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared by Bangalore-based Power Research and Development Consultants Pvt Ltd (PRDC). We will get the first draft on January 8,” said P K Jena, principal secretary (energy).

Phailin had hit the state’s southern coast near Gopalpur on October 12 last year causing extensive damage to the power infrastructure with almost the whole of Ganjam district plunging into darkness. While people in the district had to cope up without electricity for weeks, it took over two months to achieve full restoration of the power infrastructure.

Around Rs 300 crore has been spent to repair and rebuild the power infrastructure in Ganjam alone where 80 per cent of 33/11 KV lines were damaged.

Phailin had battered nearly 1,600 km of 11 KV lines in Ganjam district while 241 km of 33 KV lines were badly damaged. The rebuilding exercise included replacement of 300 distribution sub-stations and 54 extra high tension towers. Besides, 13,000 km of low tensions lines had to be repaired.

To expedite the rebuilding work, the state government had roped in manpower from companies like L&T, Tata Steel and KVK Energy. It had also sought the assistance of Central public sector units like the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) and NTPC Ltd to speed up the restoration work.

In the entire state, Phailin damaged 1796 feeders and affected 41152 sub-stations. In addition, it affected 37912.2 km of low tension lines, 4074 km of extra high tension lines, 408360 electric poles and 93 extra high tension towers.

The severe damage to electrical infrastructure impacted 39,14,714 consumers in 45,616 towns and villages.